Ex-east German Doctor: Athletes Knew Of Steroids

OTHER NEWS TO NOTE - World

May 6, 2000

BERLIN - A former East German doctor on trial for giving steroids to female athletes without their knowledge claimed Friday that the women had willingly chosen to become top athletes and were informed of the risks involved in taking the drugs. Dr. Manfred Hoeppner, in a reversal of previous statements he has made, testified that team doctors ``sufficiently'' informed the women about the side effects from the steroids. He said the majority of athletes were experienced with ``the proper use'' of the drugs. Hoeppner is on trial along with the longtime head of the East German Olympics program on 142 counts of being an accessory to causing bodily harm.